spd pedals + im bored
 

ok so ive been riding for a couple months now but im not up to date on pedals. a month ago i bought a new ride wich came with speed type clipless pedals . i have no complaints, but since this is my first ride that has clipless i was wondering whats the difference b/w these and the speed sl or look type pedals. is it easyer to clip in with the others or does the cleat last longer ? i really dont know the benefits of other pedal types,just curious and it gives me somthing to talk about

The Shimano pedals (at least the Dura Ace model) have a wider platform for less hot spots and more stability i think.

Most SPD-SL pedals do I think.

I love Look pedals, although I wish the cleats were a little more durable. I've gone through Look Carbons (their life ended prematurely), Look Keo classics, and Easy's.

I really want to try out Speedplays though. I'm very attracted to the double sided option, but a little afraid that they won't provide as much support as the Look pedals do.

"speed sl" = SPD-SL?

In short -- SPD pedals use a small, metal cleat that bolts into two-hole mounting points on cycling shoes. Use these if you're wearing shoes meant for mountain biking, casual hanging around, sandals, etc.

SPD-SL, Look, etc., use 3-hole cleats that fit on smooth-soled road-specific shoes. Use these pedals if that's the kind of shoe you want to wear.

looks like i can use either with these shoes, i was just wondering if there was a huge difference b/w cleats / pedals

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...4/IMG_5481.jpg

Go with SPD-SL/Look's. You won't regret it.

MTB pedals belong on MTB's.

these just came with my bike so ive been rockin em. i was just curious about other pedals. if i upgrade to spd sl for my cf bike ill just put my spd pedals on my aluminum that currently has platform pedals

IMO, those are the wrong cleats for those shoes (or vice versa). Yes, there are threaded inserts in the shoe to accept them, but you'll always be walking directly on the metal cleat. Traction sucks on hard surfaces, and if you end up on a hardwood floor, you'll nick up the wood pretty good; the cleat also won't be protected from pavement.

Shimano sells parts that make their SPD cleat more livable on road shoes like those, though. If you need to use those shoes with those cleats, I'd highly recommend them.

You could also get stiff-soled MTB shoes that use SPD cleats but also have lugs like a soccer or baseball shoe for traction while walking, and they protect the cleat a lot better.

yea i really dont walk anywhere with those on, besides puttin em on at the door then two steps out to get on the bike. i bought my road bike wich came with spd comabtilbe pedal + cleats for free so i bought a pair of shoes that were compatible to the free pedals. i was thinking of getting some nicer pedals but i was wondering if the money is worth the performance. maybe when i wear the cleats out or somthing it will encourage me to buys some new pedals perhaps ill go find the "parts that make their SPD cleat more livable on road shoes like those".

I LOVE my Specialized Pro Mountain shoes that I ride on my Tarmac. I haven't gotten hot spots; I prefer them because I can walk in them.

If you're looking for info, you should read my thread "Choosing 2 hole (mountain) shoes vs 3 hole (road) shoes" -
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...oes&p=10936693

Your post is rather confusing - in the title it says spd's, but then in the post it says "speed type clipless pedals" which...doesn't refer to any specific pedal.

Whatever pedal you go with, you won't find much or any increase in speed. Back in the day, a wider cleat meant a wider contact area with your foot (hotspots, supposed power transfer), but nowadays getting a shoe with a carbon sole (they really, really, really stiff) makes all that irrelevant.

It's mostly down to preferred feel, sometimes features, etc - non-speed related stuff. For example, Speedplay's are double sided, so when you stop and start with one foot already clipped in (the usual situation at traffic lights, etc) you don't have to look down to clip in the second foot. Crank Brother's and Time's "mountain" pedals are known for the ability to consistently let you walk through mud then clip back into your pedals without thinking about it. Some people will have trouble with accidentally clipping out of their pedals while sprinting which can cause them to crash at high speed (possibly breaking something) so they switch to another style of pedal. Some pedals have float or more float which lets the back of your foot move side to side some without clipping out, which helps some people avoid knee pain at the end of a ride.

There's more specific info if you follow the link.

If you do get SPD-SL's be sure to not walk down uncarpeted wooden stairs with them on....

I'm guessing there's a story behind this...

But to the OP, I personally prefer the wider platforms of the Look/Shimano pedals. At present, I've got Look Keo Carbon Max on one of my road bikes and BikeHard Pros on the other. I use the Shimano SPD pedals on my hybrid and mountain bikes. If you're going to be walking a lot when out on rides, you may find that mountain bike shoes are better for you. Even if you don't end up walking a lot, if you go with the Look-style, I'd recommend cleat covers...they'll save you wear and tear on the cleats, and give you a bit more traction should you end up walking further than planned.

Charles